Super Bowl-winning coach, and Barstool sports contributor Jon Gruden has joined the Nashville Kats as a partner in the team’s ownership group, Fisher Football Ventures LLC. Kats President and Partner Jeff Fisher, who also serves as commissioner of the Arena Football 1 (AF1) league, said Gruden will take on consulting and advisory roles across both football and business operations.
“The Nashville Kats and the Arena Football 1 league are very excited to have someone with Jon’s experience, expertise, and success,” Fisher said. “Not only will he be part of the ownership, but he will also take an active role in a variety of ways within the organization.”
Gruden, 60, previously served as head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1998 to 2001, led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2002 to 2008—including a Super Bowl XXXVII win over the Raiders—and later returned to coach the Raiders franchise from 2018 to 2021. He has been inducted, and set to be re-inducted into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Ring of Honor.
“I have been a fan of indoor football for a long time and jumped at the opportunity to be involved with Jeff and the Nashville Kats as part of the ownership group,” Gruden said. “I have so much respect for what Jeff has done over his career and continues to do with the Nashville Kats and as commissioner of AF1. I’m excited to be part of the team.”
Gruden’s ties to arena football run in the family. His brother, Jay Gruden, was an assistant coach for the Nashville Kats in 1997 before becoming head coach of the Orlando Predators from 1998 to 2001. The former Washington Commanders head coach, Jay Gruden was inducted into the Arena Football Hall of Fame for his contributions as both a player and coach.
“Obviously, I followed all of Jay’s playing and coaching days in Arena Football and knew how much he enjoyed all those years,” Jon Gruden said. “I look forward to having that same kind of excitement with the Nashville Kats.”
Jon Gruden joined Barstool Sports in 2004 and has been featured in various roles, including as the face of popular social media segments involving merchandise from college and professional teams.
Meanwhile, after a 3-2 start to the season, the Nashville Kats have won three straight games, and currently sits in third place behind the undefeated Albany Firebirds (7-0).
“With the recent success of the team on the field and the addition of Jon Gruden to assist in all areas of our operations, there is so much forward momentum for the Nashville Kats right now,” said Kats CEO and Partner Bobby DeVoursney. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be just a few months into this new era and to have such incredible local support that continues to grow nationally as well.”
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